Odile Wauters

Chronic mucocutaneous herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus infections

Chronic herpes simplex virus (CHSV) and chronic varicella zoster virus (CVZV) are defined as atypical mucocutaneous wart-like and/or ulcerative HSV or VZV infections, persisting for at least 1 month. Both are commonly associated with HIV infection and may occasionally present with other types of immunosuppression. CHSV and CVZV occur despite the immune restoration effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV. The clinical polymorphism of CHSV and CVZV makes recognition difficult. Histology, immunohistology, PCR and viral culture all help to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment is frequently complicated by resistance to thymidine kinase (TK)-dependent antivirals, including acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir. Viral culture remains an essential tool for antiviral drug susceptibility testing. Therapeutic alternatives include non-TK-dependent antivirals, such as foscarnet or cidofovir, which directly target viral DNA polymerase. With few exceptions, CHSV and CVZV infections do not constitute significant risk factors for disseminated cutaneous or systemic infection. This review compares the similarities of and differences between CHSV and CVZV infections.

Photodynamic therapy for multi-resistant cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare group of proliferative disorders. Beside cutaneous involvement, other internal organs can be affected. The treatment of cutaneous lesions is difficult and relies on topical corticosteroids, carmustine, nitrogen mustard, and photochemotherapy. Systemic steroids and vinblastine are used for recalcitrant skin lesions. However, some cases fail to respond. An 18-month old boy presented a CD1a+, S100a+ Langerhans cell histocytosis with cutaneous and severe scalp involvement. Topical corticosteroids and nitrogen mustard failed to improve the skin lesions. Systemic corticosteroids and vinblastine improved the truncal involvement but had no effect on the scalp lesions. Methylaminolevulinate (MAL) based photodynamic therapy (PDT) resulted in a significant regression of the scalp lesions. Control histology revealed an almost complete clearance of the tumor infiltrate. Clinical follow-up after six months showed no recurrence. Although spontaneous regression of cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis is observed, the rapid effect of photodynamic therapy after several failures of other treatment suggests that photodynamic therapy was successful. As far as we know this is the first report of photodynamic therapy for refractory skin lesions. Larger series are needed to determine whether photodynamic therapy deserves a place in the treatment of multiresistant cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Congenital infantile digital fibromatosis: a case report and review of the literature

Infantile digital fibromatosis (IDF) is a rare benign fibroproliferative tumor of early childhood. IDF preferentially affects the fingers and the toes. Malignant transformation or metastases have never been reported. Surgical treatment has been advocated previously but local recurrences were observed frequently. Recent literature supports clinical surveillance without any medical or surgical intervention as spontaneous regression usually occurs after two to three years. A six-month-old Caucasian girl with IDF on the left fourth digit is presented here. The tumor progressively increased in size after birth. Topical imiquimod cream and diflucortolone valerate cream, both displaying antifibrotic properties, had no effect on tumor growth. Currently the lesion size remains stable without any treatment. Early recognition of IDF is important in order to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention that may prove to be potentially aggravating, unless serious functional or cosmetic concerns intervene. Parents should be reassured concerning the benign nature of IDF and be informed that spontaneous involution of IDF might be expected.

Is there a possible link between chronic trauma of the palate induced by a maxillary denture and the appearance of melanoma? Discussion of two case reports and a review of the literature

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